Unattended candles blamed for fire in west Mobile that killed family's dog

MOBILE, Alabama -- Fire swept through a west Mobile home shortly before noon today, killing a dog, the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department said. A woman and her son escaped the burning home safely and were not injured, MFRD spokesman Steve Huffman said.

The fire was reported about 11:54 a.m. at 4279 Raines Drive, Huffman said. The home was fully ablaze when firefighters arrived, he said.

Firefighters reported that the home was heavily loaded with mattresses, boxes, stuffed animals and other combustibles, making it difficult to get around inside. Huffman said that 4 mattresses had to be removed from near the front door so that firefighters could get in.

The owner, Vicki Sterling, told firefighters that her dog was inside, but by the time the pet was taken out of the house, it could not be revived, Huffman said.

Sterling said that she smelled smoke and went into the kitchen to investigate, according to Huffman. Sterling called to her son, Kelcy, who was asleep at the time, and when he awoke, they opened the laundry door and found flames on top of the dryer, he said. Both tried to put the fire out on their own before leaving the house when the flames spread, Huffman said.

Investigators determined that unattended lit candles in the laundry set nearby combustibles on fire, according to Huffman. Damage was estimated at $30,000, he said.

Three engine companies, a ladder truck, a paramedic unit and District Chief Elbert Cross responded along with the Bureau of Fire Prevention.